Trucking Elite September 2010

September 1, 2010

Decker Truck Line Announces Drivers of the Month

Iowa-based Decker Companies has honored two drivers as their Drivers of the Month. Warren Erxleben in the Flatbed Division, and Robert Dodds in the Reefer-Van Division will receive a $135.00 gift certificate to the Decker Company Store. They are now eligible for the Driver of the Year Award—which results in a 1-cent-per-mile pay raise for twelve months.

Warren Erxleben, a Decker vet since ’05, is a busy father of four (Kara, Eric, Andy, and Darrell) and husband to Vicki. He names “Home!” his favorite vacation destination, and that’s where you’ll find him when he’s not driving. He enjoys watching Nascar or “Andy Griffith” reruns on TV, or engaging in his favorite hands-on hobby, working on old tractors. His dispatcher Jerry Chapman praises Warren as “hard-working, and very easy to get along with.”

Robert Dodds, a reefer-van driver, has been with Decker for seven years, and his safety motto is “Watch ahead!” Looking back, he claims he’d most enjoy sharing a meal with his grandfather from Ireland, whom he never met. A big fan of NFL football, Dodds enjoys boating on his days off. He is a father of two and grandfather to another two, whose favorite dinner is found at the Hu Hot Mongolian Grill. His dispatcher, Mike Kehoe, says, “Robert is always willing to help out!”

Cadenas named Driver of the Year by National Carriers

Juan Cadenas of Somerton, Ariz., has been named the Elite Fleet’s Driver of the Year by National Carriers, Inc., (NCI) for his excellent service and dedication to the company. Cadenas has been an owner operator with NCI since December of 2007. “This is a great honor for me,” says Cadenas. “National Carriers has been very good to me.” Cadenas, who has driven professionally for 14 years, was named Driver of the Month in February 2009. Drivers of the Month are nominated by NCI personnel and are evaluated based on performance, on-time deliveries, DOT inspections, safety record and so on.

All Drivers of the Month for that year are then considered for Driver of the Year by a committee which determines who best fits the Driver of the Year qualities. A banquet is held honoring all of the Drivers of the Month and the Driver of the Year is announced.
NCI brought Cadenas and his family to the company’s headquarters in Liberal, Kan., for the banquet where they were surprised by the announcement that Cadenas won. “Nobody knew I would win it. They just told us the banquet was to honor the Drivers of the Month,” he says. “My family was very excited.” As Driver of the Year, Cadenas was given an award jacket, a clock, plaque, hat and $5,000.

According to Cadenas, National Carriers has been very responsive to his professional and personal needs. “They keep my miles steady and have supported me in many ways,” he says. “When I wanted more home time, National Carriers moved me to the Western Region where I’m home every few days. I feel that they really care about me and my family but also they care that my business does well.”
Call 888-707-7729 today for details or visit www.nationalcarriers.com.

Prime Drivers Take Top Honors at State Driving Championship

Four Prime Inc. drivers took home high honors after participating in the 43rd Annual Missouri Truck Driving Championships sponsored by the Missouri Trucking Association on June 4 – 5, 2010. Held at the Prime Inc. CDL Training Lot in Springfield, Mo., the two-day event evaluated nearly 130 drivers on their knowledge of the industry, first aid, safety and security, and required federal vehicle inspections. The participants were then interviewed by industry experts before competing on a point-value-assessed driving skills course of six obstacles to be completed under actual everyday conditions.

The Prime winners were from the company’s refrigerated division. Prime’s Michael Fenton of Catawissa, Mo., was named “Rookie of the Year” for his outstanding well-rounded performance as a first-time contestant.
Fenton, who has been with Prime for three years, also placed first in the Tank Truck Class.
Paul Blessing, from Nappanee Ind., placed first in the Sleeper Berth Class, and has been with Prime two years. Duane Grimme, placed first in the Flatbed Class. From Satsuma, Fla., Grimme has been with Prime 13 years.
Chad Daniel, a second place winner in the Four Axle Class, is from Greencastle Pa., and has been with Prime four years.
The first place winners will be part of the Missouri Championship Team reporting to Columbus, Ohio, to compete against other state teams in the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships August 3 -7, 2010.
During the competition the Missouri Team will compete against 450 other professionals vying for selection as the nation’s top professional truck drivers.

First, second and third place winners in all nine classes of competition as well as the top “Rookie” and the driver with the best Pre-Trip Inspection were honored at an Awards Banquet presented by the Missouri Trucking Association.

Avery Is Latest Million-Mile For CalArk

CalArk is pleased to announce their newest member of the company’s “One Million Safe Miles” club! Mr. Kendall Avery, Truck # 7009, recently achieved this major milestone, which, according to company Safety Director Dennis Hilton, is the equivalent of circling the Earth 40 times. Kendall has been driving for CalArk since April 8, 2003. Married to Wanoka Avery, and father of two children, Kendall resides in Lexa, AR. His current Driver Manager is Shane Perryman.
Kendall, whose interest in professional driving was spurred by stories from a friend, says that he enjoys the opportunity to travel all over the USA in his work. The team at CalArk wants to thank Kendall for his many years of devoted service and safety. Director of Recruiting Mary Cundiff says, “Mr. Avery is very well-respected at CalArk, he’s friendly and easy to work with. We’re proud of him!”

LinkAmerica Transportation Receives Top Level Certification as a SmartWay Transport Partner
LinkAmerica Transportation, a “Best In Class” transportation solutions provider, was recently recognized for re-certifying at the Top Level Certification with SmartWay Transport. Developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SmartWay Transport is an innovative collaboration between the government and freight shippers, carriers and logistics companies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce the environmental effects of freight transport.

LinkAmerica Transportation is committed to improving the environmental performance of its freight delivery operations, specifically through its recent increase in company standard MPG. This standard will contribute to SmartWay’s goal of lowering the emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. LinkAmerica Transportation’s partnership will also assist SmartWay in saving an average of between 3.3 and 6.6 billion gallons of fuel each year by 2012.
For more information about the SmartWay Transport Partnership visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartway. For more information about LinkAmerica Corporation, visit www.lkam.com.

Greatwide Logistics Services Announces Drivers of the Year

Greatwide Logistics Services, a national provider of third-party logistics services, today announced the winners of its 2009 Driver of the Year awards. The company named Bill Hill of Upper Marlboro, Md., Company Driver of the Year, while Gordon Johnson of Delaware, Ohio, earned Owner-Operator of the Year honors. Both drivers were recognized in ceremonies held at their local operations centers.
“Our drivers are the cornerstone of our business, and these two professionals exemplify a level of dedication and commitment to excellence that makes them the best of the best,” said John Simone, president and chief operating officer, Greatwide Logistics Services. “We commend Bill and Gordon for their extraordinary service and congratulate them on being named Greatwide’s Drivers of the Year.”
Greatwide chose Hill and Johnson from 31 finalists for Driver of the Year selected out of a pool of nearly 4,000 drivers based on impressive driving records, high levels of safety performance and outstanding character. Along with Driver of the Year honors, each driver was awarded a cruise for two, a week’s worth of wages and a special Super Bowl-style ring. Additionally, all nominees received a commemorative jacket and watch, as well as a Driver of the Year nominee equipment decal.

Hill has been a professional driver for 30 years, and has traveled 2.25 million accident-free miles during his career. He typically drives a route from Greater Washington, D.C., to the New York metropolitan area, a round trip of 500 miles. Hill says patience is the key to safe driving.

Johnson has been driving professionally since 1971, covering more than 3 million accident-free miles in 39 years. His usual route takes him throughout the Ohio Valley. Johnson says he loves the independent lifestyle that driving provides. To view a YouTube video of winner Johnson, visit http://bit.ly/buQu1O. Follow Greatwide on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Greatwide.